Moving can be intimidating and expensive — but what if you were paid to move?
In 2024, several municipal programs have set aside money and incentives specifically for people who are willing to move there.
These are not get-rich schemes by any means, but rather a way for cities to attract new talent as well as for workers to explore new opportunities and environments while getting rewarded in the process. Sound like a plan? Read on.
Get Up to $15,000 To Move to Some of These Cities and States
In this article, I’ll show you some U.S. destinations that offer monetary incentives and more if you move there.
Team Clark has researched all of these places to make sure that the programs are legitimate and active as of January 2024. Programs that have paused or ended (sorry Vermont and Rochester, New York), are no longer included on the list.
Table of Contents
- Alaska
- Lincoln, Kansas
- Hamilton, Ohio
- Mattoon, Illinois
- Newton, Iowa
- Owensboro, Kentucky
- West Lafayette, Indiana
- Richmond, Indiana
- Evansville, Indiana
- Noblesville, Indiana
- South Bend/Elkhart, Indiana
- The Shoals (Alabama region)
- Topeka, Kansas
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
- West Virginia
Note that one of the common requirements for getting the monetary incentive is that you live in the respective city or state for a specific period, so be sure you read all of the rules before you apply.
1. Alaska
Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) is a dividend paid to Alaska residents who have lived in the state for a full calendar year.
The amount of the PFD changes every year according to what the Alaska state legislature approves. Although Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has asked lawmakers to earmark more than $3,000 per eligible Alaskan, the legislature is likely to approve a figure around the $1,312 dividend paid out last year.
Read the eligibility requirements for the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend.
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How To Apply
According to the program’s website, to be eligible for a PFD, you must have been an Alaska resident for the entire calendar year before the date you apply for a dividend and intend to remain an Alaska resident indefinitely.
The application acceptance period runs from January 1 to March 31 every year. See details here.
2. Lincoln, Kansas
The small city of Lincoln, Kansas, is currently accepting applications for its Free Home Site Program, which grants free land to eligible prospective homebuilders.
On the Lincoln County website. the program is described as providing “free build-ready lots to individuals and families interested in moving to the community and/or building a new home.”
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How To Apply
Want a free lot in a residential development? Apply here.
3. Hamilton, Ohio
About 20 miles north of Cincinnati is Hamilton, which offers a Talent Attraction Program (TAP) Scholarship for recent college graduates. Successful applicants get up to $15,000 in cash to pay down their student loan debt.
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Among the eligibility requirements, applicants must:
- Have graduated within the last seven years from a STEAM program (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, or Mathematics) preferred.
- Not currently be living in designated areas of Hamilton “but have plans to move to or live in one of the urban neighborhoods or in Armondale or Highland Park neighborhoods in Hamilton.”
- Demonstrate employment within Butler County or have a full-time remote job in a professional role.
How To Apply
Go to the Scholarship Portal to create and/or log into your account.
4. Mattoon, Illinois
Mattoon, which is about a three-hour drive from Chicago, has an incentive package that offers relocating remote workers $5,000 cash for moving and a $500 voucher to local restaurants.
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The Move To Mattoon program includes:
- One-year free co-working space in the city.
- Six months of free YMCA membership for you and your family.
- Six months of free fiber internet and more.
The total value of the package is $11,703, according to the website.
How To Apply
Apply for the Move To Mattoon incentive program via MakeMyMove.com.
5. Newton, Iowa
Newton, Iowa, located right outside Des Moines, has a major Housing Incentive for newcomers who want to live there.
The city’s website says, “For homes valued at $240,000 or more, homebuyers will receive a $10,000 cash incentive and the Get to Know Newton Welcome Package.”
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How To Apply
To apply, contact the Newton Housing Development Corporation:
Mailing address: P.O. Box 102 Newton, IA 50208. Phone: 641-521-6031 or contact Housing Director Bruce Showalter at [email protected].
6. Owensboro, Kentucky
Located about a two-hour drive west of Louisville, Owensboro, Kentucky is among the cities using cash to attract top talent to its communities.
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In conjunction with the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation and MakeMyMove, the city’s “Grow The Boro” incentive program offers prospective residents who qualify:
- A $5,000 stipend to cover relocation expenses.
- A one-year membership at the Owensboro Health Healthpark
- A one-year membership at the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden and more.
How To Apply
Apply for the Grow The Boro program through MakeMyMove.com.
The Make My Move program has partnered with several Indiana cities as well to attract working residents. Let’s look at a few of the programs.
7. West Lafayette, Indiana
In West Lafayette, Indiana, home of Purdue University, the Work From West Lafayette program offers a $5,000 stipend for qualified candidates who relocate to live and work in the Greater Lafayette area for at least one year.
Including the other amenities, the value of the program exceeds $10,000, according to the program’s website.
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When it comes to benefits, the program also offers:
- Free campus food and drink
- $1,800 co-working discount
- Free Purdue library membership
- Free city bus pass and more
How To Apply
Apply for the program at MakeMyMove.com.
8. Richmond, Indiana
Richmond, Indiana, a small city that borders Ohio, is offering people who move there a $5,000 stipend along with a VIP Community Pass, which includes:
- Free one-year membership to co-working space in downtown Richmond.
- One month of full membership to the Forest Hills Country Club.
- Free one-year membership to the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce.
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How To Apply
Apply for the Richmond program through MakeMyMove.com.
9. Evansville, Indiana
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In Evansville, those who move there get:
- $5,000 cash
- One year free membership to co-working space
- Day passes to the Evansville Children’s Museum and more
Evansville: How To Apply
Apply for the Evansville program.
10. Noblesville, Indiana
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Noblesville is also luring people to move there via cash incentives and more. The city, which is located about 27 miles north of Indianapolis, is offering those who move there the following:
- $5,000 relocation grant
- One year membership to Noblesville co-working space
- One year membership to the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce and more
Noblesville: How To Apply
Get paid to live in Noblesville, Indiana.
11. South Bend/Elkhart, Indiana
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The South Bend/Elkhart region includes the cities of South Bend, Elkhart and Culver and they all pay different amounts depending on which place you relocate to. Here are some program’s details:
- Move to Culver: $7,500 plus one free school year in the Culver Youth Club and more. Apply here.
- Move to South Bend: $5,900 plus one year Social Membership to Momentum entrepreneurial hub, zoo passes, train tickets and more. Apply here.
- Move to Elkhart: $5,000 plus three months’ membership to a fitness center, co-working space and more. Apply here.
South Bend/Elkhart: How To Apply
Apply to move to the South Bend/Elkhart region.
12. The Shoals (Alabama Region)
The Remote Shoals initiative is another relocation program that will pay you $10,000 to live in a region of northern Alabama known as “the Shoals.” The area is comprised of the cities of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia.
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How To Apply
The Remote Shoals program is currently open! Apply here.
13. Topeka, Kansas
Topeka, Kansas, has a program called the Choose Topeka Relocation Incentive, which offers money to move to the city or the surrounding Shawnee County area.
How Much Money Can You Get?
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“Choose Topeka as your new home and you could get up to $15,000 in your pocket,” says the Choose Topeka website. “This exciting program partners with Shawnee County employers to select talented professionals like you to relocate to Topeka and the Shawnee County community.”
How To Apply
14. Tulsa, Oklahoma
Since its launch in 2018, the Tulsa Remote plan has been giving $10,000 grants to eligible remote workers or entrepreneurs who agree to live in the city for at least one year.
In addition to the $10,000, grant recipients also get a 36-month free membership at a local co-working space as well as access to area fitness studios, wellness spas and mental health providers.
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How To Apply
Ready for your new adventure? Apply to live in Tulsa.
15. West Virginia
West Virginia has a free outdoor recreation program that will pay remote workers $12,000 to move there. As a participant in the Ascend West Virginia program, you’ll get a free co-working space, be introduced at select social events and get access to exclusive adventures.
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The Ascend West Virginia website says, “Over your first year with Ascend WV you will earn $10,000, paid in monthly installments. When you fall in love with your new home, we will add in $2,000 for completing your second consecutive year in West Virginia. On top of that, don’t forget you will also get a year of FREE outdoor recreation worth over $2,500.”
How To Apply
Fill out an application for the Ascend West Virginia program.
Final Thoughts
If you’re willing to relocate, you can get free money by leaving your comfort zone and starting anew in a different city.
Perhaps you’d like to retire to a state that has a lower cost of living or go where the jobs are. This could be your chance!
If you’re contemplating making a move and want to secure some employment first, there are plenty of remote jobs available across several disciplines.
Want to see who’s hiring remote workers? Read our Work From Home Guide.
